PROFESSIONAL DUTIES OF A PRINCIPAL
TEACHERS’ (TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT) REGULATIONS
(NORTHERN IRELAND)1987
Schedule 1
Regulation 4
General Functions
* A Principal shall be required to carry out his/her professional duties in accordance with the school’s policy and objectives as determined by the employing authority and, in the case of a controlled school, the Board of Governors and shall obey the reasonable directions of the employing authority and, in the case of a controlled school, the Board of Governors.
* Subject to paragraph 1 the Principal shall be responsible for the internal organisation, management and control of the school.
* In carrying out his/her duties the Principal shall consult, where this is appropriate, with the employing authority, the staff of the school and, in the case of a controlled school, the Board of Governors.
Professional Duties
The professional duties of a Principal include:
* Formulating the overall aims and objectives of the school and policies for their implementation;
* Participating in the selection and appointment of the teaching and non‑teaching staff of the school;
* Deploying and managing all teaching and non‑teaching staff of the school and allocating particular duties to them (including such duties of the principal as may properly be delegated to the Vice‑Principal or other members of the staff), in a manner consistent with their terms and conditions of employment, maintaining a reasonable balance for each employee;
1. (a) Deploying and managing all teaching and non‑teaching staff of the school and allocating particular duties to them (including such duties of the principal as may properly be delegated to the Vice‑Principal or other members of the staff), in a manner consistent with their terms and conditions of employment, maintaining a reasonable balance for each employee;
2. (b) Ensuring that the duty of providing cover for absent teachers, as set out in paragraph 3(9) of Schedule 3 of the Teachers’ Terms and Conditions of Employment Regulations (NI) 1987 is shared equitably among all teachers in the school, taking account of their teaching and other duties;
* Maintaining relationships, as appropriate, with organisations representing teachers and other persons on the staff of the school;
* Determining, organising and implementing an appropriate curriculum for the school, having regard to the needs, experience, interests, aptitudes and stage of development of the pupils and the resources available to the school;
* Keeping under review the work and organisation of the school;
* Evaluating the standards of teaching and learning in the school, and ensuring that proper standards of professional performance are established and maintained;
* Providing information about the work and performance of the staff employed at the school where this is relevant to their future employment;
* Participating in any scheme of staff development and performance review of teachers who teach in the school;
1. (a) Participating in any scheme of staff development and performance review of teachers who teach in the school;
2. (b) Ensuring that all staff in the school have access to advice and training appropriate to their needs, in accordance with the policies of the employing authority for the development of staff;
* Ensuring that the progress of the pupils of the school is monitored and recorded;
* Determining and ensuring the implementation of a policy for the pastoral care of the pupils;
* Determining, in accordance with any written statement of general principles provided for him/her by the employing authority and, in the case of a controlled school, the Board of Governors, measures to be taken with a view to promoting, among the pupils, self‑discipline and proper regard for authority, encouraging good behaviour on the part of the pupils, securing that the standard of behaviour of the pupils is acceptable, and otherwise regulating the conduct of the pupils; making such measures generally known within the school, and ensuring that they are implemented;
* In accordance with the policy of the employing authority having responsibility for good order and discipline on the school premises whenever pupils are present, including the mid‑day break;
* Making arrangements for parents to be given regular information about the school curriculum, the progress of their children and other matters affecting the school, so as to promote common understanding of its aim;
* Promoting effective relationships with persons and bodies outside the school as may be approved by the employing authority;
* Advising and assisting the Board of Governors in the exercise of their functions, including attending meetings of the Board of Governors and making such reports to it in connection with the discharge of his/her functions as it may properly require either on a regular basis or from time to time;
* Providing for liaison and co‑operation with the employing authority; making such reports to the employing authority in connection with the discharge of his/her functions as it may properly require either on a regular basis or from time to time;
* Maintaining liaison with other schools and institutions of further education with which the school has a relationship;
* Allocating, controlling and accounting for those financial and material resources of the school which are under the control of the principal;
* Making arrangements in co‑operation with the employing authority, for the security and effective supervision of the school buildings and their contents and of the school grounds; and ensuring (if so required) that any lack of maintenance is promptly reported to the Board of Governors;
* Participating in any scheme of staff development and performance review of principals;
1. (a) Participating in any scheme of staff development and performance review of principals;
2. (b) Participating in the identification of areas in which he/she would benefit from further training and undergoing such training;
* Arranging for a Vice‑Principal or, if the Vice‑Principal is not available, another suitable person to assume responsibility for the discharge of his/her functions as principal at any time when he/she is absent from the school;
* Participating, to such extent as may be appropriate having regard to his/her other duties, in the teaching of the pupils at the school, including the provision of cover for absent teachers;
* Without prejudice to his/her duties under paragraph 4 (13) and (22), a principal shall be allowed a break of at least 30 minutes between the hours of 12 noon and 2.00 pm;
* To participate in the Performance Review and Staff Development (PRSD) for Principals.
In addition to the above, the following professional duties of a principal have been amended as per DE circular 1994/33 to include:
Management of staff
* Considering how far the duties of the principal may be delegated to any vice‑principal;
* Ensuring that teachers at the school receive information they need in order to carry out their professional duties effectively.
Training and Development of Staff
* Ensuring that newly‑qualified teachers and those returning to teaching after a break in service have access to adequate support in their first years of service or resumed service taking account of the general arrangements for all schools within the EA.
A successful candidate will be able to demonstrate relevant experience, knowledge and skills associated with the following key areas:
Shaping the Future
* Keep abreast of and anticipate educational trends;
* Think strategically to build and communicate a shared coherent vision;
* Create an ethos and provide direction, which promotes a culture of high expectation, successful learning and achievement;
* Inspire, challenge, motivate and empower others to carry the vision and ethos forward;
* Model the values and ethos of the school.
Leading and Managing Staff
* Provide high quality leadership to secure improvement;
* Collaborate and network with others within and beyond the school;
* Foster a culture of shared/ distributed leadership;
* Develop, empower
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